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After public objections, board approves Carolinas Academic Leadership Network courses for CEU credit
Summary
Public commenters urged transparency and opposed an unexplained relationship with the Carolinas Academic Leadership Network (CALN); the board moved the consent item to new business, discussed it, and approved CALN courses as acceptable for board continuing-education credit.
Public comments at the Sept. 8 meeting included requests for transparency in committee meetings and objections to a proposed relationship with the Carolinas Academic Leadership Network. Later in the meeting the board pulled the CALN consent item for discussion and voted to approve CALN professional-development courses as acceptable for board continuing-education credits.
During public comment, Paul Weitzelbaum urged rejection of the CALN consent item and described the organization as "part of a partisan extremist right wing ecosystem," asking the board to reject the agenda item unless its scope, costs and parameters were disclosed. Clint Holt, representing the local chapter of Public Schools Strong, urged more open posting of committee meetings and cited North Carolina General Statute 143-318.10 to support public access to committee meetings.
Following public comment the board chair said CALN had been discussed publicly at the previous month—s meeting, but clarified that the district had not entered into any relationship with CALN; the agenda item in the consent packet was for board approval so CALN courses could count for continuing-education units (CEUs) when board members attend. The chair said the board—s policy requires pre-approval for outside training providers if CEU credit or reimbursement is sought.
Board member debate emphasized that many CALN sessions are free and that district board members may individually attend outside trainings regardless of CEU approval. After discussion the board voted to accept CALN—s professional-development offerings as acceptable for board CEU credit for the 2025-26 school year.
The action does not create an institutional partnership or procurement contract between HCPS and CALN; it only permits board members to receive CEU credit for CALN courses when pre-approved under board policy.
